Beyond the Whistle Documentary Spotlights British Rugby League Referees' Season and Training
The documentary Beyond the Whistle follows top British rugby league referees throughout the 2024 season, highlighting the rivalry between Liam Moore and Chris Kendall as well as the work of head of match officials Phil Bentham.
Pre-season training for referees takes place at the Etihad Campus in Manchester, where full-time referees train 46 weeks a year with six weeks off. Liam Rush, now in his fifth pre-season as a full-time referee, describes the rigorous training regime as replicating the fitness and pace of rugby, including video analysis and ball skills, although not on-field tackling.
The refereeing team functions like a professional rugby club, supported by coaches, physiotherapists, strength and conditioning staff, masseurs, and analysts. Among the group are younger referees belonging to the millennial generation, with Tara Jones as the only woman member.
Jack Smith, a former marine who was shot in Afghanistan and spent two weeks in a coma, began refereeing at age 21 as part of his rehabilitation. Before 2007, many elite rugby league referees held other full-time jobs.
There are approximately a dozen potential Super League referees available for the seven games played on weekends. The Rugby Football League (RFL) cannot implement a hometown rule for referees due to their continued involvement with local clubs.
Liam Rush, born in 2000 in Batley and the youngest full-time referee who began officiating in his teens, had his mother Louise present his Super League shirt before his debut; she passed away weeks later. He has a brother named Kieran.
During 2024, Liam Moore applied new high-tackle protocols in matches including the Hull derby, issuing red cards to two players. Such decisions are supported by senior referees as asserting authority. The video referee process emphasizes the need for sufficient evidence and maintains open questions to avoid undermining the credibility of officials.
